US distributor NEON to handle theatrical release directly, alongside premium large-format screenings

Still from Hope (Provided by Empire)

Na Hong-jin's Hope will open in cinemas across the UK and Ireland on September 25. US distributor NEON announced the release date on August 14, and will handle theatrical distribution in both territories directly.

NEON has set the North American release for September 9, with early-access screenings two days earlier, on September 7, at 175 premium large-format cinemas nationwide. The film will screen in six formats: Dolby Cinema, 4DX, ScreenX, Barco HDR, D-BOX, and Dolby Atmos. Its UK premiere took place on August 16 at the Edinburgh International Film Festival, in an IMAX screening.

An Unidentified Presence Descends on Hope Harbor

Hope is set in Hope Harbor, a remote fishing village in Korea. Police outpost chief Bum-seok, played by Hwang Jung-min, and officer Sung-ae, played by Hoyeon, investigate a series of attacks that strike the village. The cause is traced to an unidentified presence hiding in the nearby forest. As the village's hunters join the search, the line between pursuer and pursued gradually breaks down.

Na Hong-jin wrote and directed the film. It was produced by Forged Films, with Plus M Entertainment and Westworld co-producing. Plus M Entertainment handles domestic presentation and distribution. The cast includes Hwang Jung-min, Zo In-sung, and Hoyeon, joined by Taylor Russell, Cameron Britton, Alicia Vikander, and Michael Fassbender.

Hope opened domestically on July 15, debuting at number one at the box office in its first week, and ranks among the top-grossing films in Korea this year. International outlets have pointed to the film's emphasis on action sequences confronting the unidentified presence as a defining feature. Reactions following its first unveiling have also centered on this element. NEON has stated that it will hold premium large-format screenings in the UK and Ireland as well.

From an Award in New York, Through Toronto, to the UK

In North America, Hope was first unveiled at the New York Asian Film Festival in July. At the festival, Na Hong-jin received the Daniel A. Craft Award for Excellence in Action Cinema, which recognizes achievement in action filmmaking.

Next on the schedule is the Toronto International Film Festival, where Hope has been selected to screen in the Midnight Madness section. It will then go through early-access screenings in North America on September 7 and its official release on September 9, before reaching UK and Irish audiences on September 25. Attention now turns to how Hope will be received in English-language markets.

Sources

• Empire, "Korean Monster Epic Hope Is Coming To UK Cinemas This September," 2026.08.14

• HorrorFix, "NEON To Release Na Hong-Jin's Cannes Sensation HOPE In UK And Irish Cinemas On 25th September," 2026.08.14

• Confusions and Connections, "NEON To Release Na Hong-Jin's Cannes Sensation HOPE In UK And Irish Cinemas This September," 2026.08.16

• ScreenAnarchy, "HOPE: Wanna See Na Hong-jin's Sci-fi Action Thriller Two Days Early?," 2026.08.21